IN A MORNING
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
The morning light was sharp and unforgiving as I approached the castle gates. The ache in my side where the healer no, the omega had bandaged me was a constant reminder of the night before. I slipped through the halls, hoping to avoid attention, but luck had never been on my side.
"Xavier!"I heard man's voice.
I froze mid step. Of course, Michael. My oldest brother's voice was unmistakable, full of mockery and mischief, and it echoed through the corridor like a trumpet announcing my arrival. I turned slowly trying to act normal, but the grin on his face told me he wasn't buying it.
"Where have you been, little brother?" Michael asked, sauntering toward me with his arms crossed. "Out chasing trouble again?"
"None of your business," I said curtly, trying to brush past him.
But before I could escape, Terrence appeared, his imposing figure blocking my path. At thirty years old, he had the kind of presence that made even the most confident men falter. His sharp golden eyes narrowed as he sniffed the air. And then he smirked.
"Omega." He said, his voice smooth and knowing. "You reek of an omega's scent, Xavier. Care to explain why?"
Michael's grin widened as he leaned closer, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
"An omega? Really? I didn't think you had it in you."Michel said.
"Drop it." I snapped.
But Michael was relentless. I hated that part about him.
"Oh, come on, Xavier. You disappear for a night, come back battered and bruised, and now you smell like an omega? You can't expect us to ignore that."Michael said.
"It's nothing." I said, glaring at both of them. "I was injured, and someone helped me. That's all."
"Someone?" Terrence raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with amusement. "And this 'someone' just happened to be an omega? How convenient."
I pushed past them, my jaw tight.
"I'm not discussing this with you."I said.
Unfortunately, my brothers weren't the type to take a hint. They followed me all the way to the dining hall, their teasing remarks only getting louder. By the time I entered, I was ready to snap. Our parents, King William and Queen Clara, were already seated at the long dining table. My mother looked up first, her piercing blue eyes locking onto me with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Xavier." She said, her voice calm but firm. "Where have you been?"Mother asked.
"I-"I started.
But before I could answer, my father, ever the observer, leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowing.
"What's that smell?"Dad asked.
"That, dear father, is the scent of an omega."Michael said.
My mother's eyes widened, and she exchanged a quick glance with my father.
"An omega?" She repeated, her tone laced with intrigue. "Xavier, is this true?"
I sighed, knowing there was no way out of this.
"Yes, but it's not what you think."I said.
"Then explain." My father said, his voice steady but commanding.
I hesitated, but under their expectant gazes, I finally told the truth.
"I was injured in the forest. I came across a woman an omega. She helped me, treated my wounds. That's it."I said.
"That's it?" Michael echoed, laughing. "You mean to tell me you just happened to stumble upon an omega who decided to patch you up out of the goodness of her heart?"
"She didn't even know who I was." I said quickly, hoping to steer the conversation away from their prying.
That caught their attention. My mother's lips parted slightly, her expression softening.
"She didn't know you were a prince?"Mom asked.
"No." I said firmly. "She had no idea. She just... helped me."
Terrence leaned against the door frame, his smirk unwavering.
"And yet, you brought her scent all the way back here. That's not exactly subtle, Xavier."Terrence said.
"I didn't do it on purpose." I snapped. "I left as soon as I could."
"But you didn't want to." My mother said quietly, her sharp gaze piercing through me.
I froze, unsure how to respond.
"Tell us about her." My father said, his tone more curious than demanding now. "What was she like?"
"That's why I don't want you anywhere near her." I said, my voice sharp. "She's not part of this world. She doesn't need to be."
My father's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression thoughtful.
"You're protecting her."He said.
"Yes." I admitted. "Because if any of you go near her, you'll ruin her life. She's quiet, unassuming. She doesn't need the chaos of the pack or the court."
My mother tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips.
"You care about her."She said.
"I don't even know her." I said quickly, though the words felt like a lie. "She's just... different."
"Different enough to get under your skin."Michael said.
"Enough." I growled, glaring at him.
But my father wasn't done. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing.
"What's her name?"He asked.
I hesitated, my throat tightening. Saying her name felt like giving them a piece of her, a piece I wasn't ready to share.
"Her name, Xavier." My father repeated, his tone firm.
"I don't know." I said quietly, almost unwillingly. "She's just a woman who helped me. That's all."
But even as I said the words, I knew they didn't believe me. My family thrived on curiosity, and I'd just handed them a mystery to unravel.
"Interesting." Terrence said, his smirk widening. "Very interesting."
I clenched my fists under the table, my frustration mounting. They didn't understand. She wasn't some puzzle for them to solve or some prize to be claimed. She was... Mine.
I stormed out of the dining hall, my brothers teasing laughter echoing behind me. My wolf growled low in my chest, restless and irritated, matching my mood. By the time I reached my room, I slammed the door shut, leaning against it as I exhaled sharply.
"She's gone. You left her behind, just as you should have."I whispered to myself.
But my wolf wasn't having it.
"We need to see her again."My wolf said.
"No." I muttered aloud, running a hand through my hair. "She's better off without us."
"She healed us." My wolf argued, his voice a low, insistent growl in the back of my mind. "She didn't care who we were. She didn't ask for anything. She's different."
"She deserves us."My wolf said.
I froze, my wolf's words hitting me like a punch to the gut.
"She doesn't even know us." I said quietly.
I sank onto the edge of the bed, my head in my hands. My wolf's need to see her again was almost suffocating, his yearning bleeding into my own. Her scent still lingered faintly on my skin, a tantalizing reminder of her warmth, her touch, her quiet strength. My chest tightened at the memory of her soft hands tending to my wounds, her gentle voice as she reassured me. And now, here I was, unable to stop thinking about her.
"We need her." My wolf said again, softer this time, almost pleading.
"No," I said firmly, though my resolve was weakening. "She's better off without us."
But deep down, I knew the truth. I wanted to see her again. See those beautiful eyes and hear her voice.